Whilst we do our best to keep our homes clean by washing the dishes, cleaning the floors and keeping on top of the laundry, it’s important we don’t forget about the pollutants we can’t see. On average, we spend 90% of our time indoors, proving indoor air pollution is a topic that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Afterall, the health of our homes contribute largely to our comfort and well-being.
So, where does indoor air pollution come from?
There are a number of factors that impact your homes air quality. These are mould, dust, chemicals from cleaning products, pollen, perfumes and even allergens from your pet. These airborne allergens all have an impact on our health and over time can become toxic.
Combating air pollution
There are a number of ways to reduce air pollution in your home, keeping your environment clean and the air you are breathing fresh.
Ventilation
Mould in the home can cause serious health issues, especially if nothing is done to get rid of it. Improving ventilation in your home will help to eradicate mould and dampness. Ventilation and good air flow in the home can be achieved using windows and vents.
However, it is important to factor in where you live. If you have a busy road nearby, opening the windows will mean poor outside air pollutants, such as car exhaust fumes, will be entering your home.
Install an air conditioner
When ventilation in the home (or certain areas of the home) is an issue, another alternative is installing an air conditioning system. An air conditioner can help to help keep humidity low in the home, reduce dampness and in turn prevent the growth of mould.
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Clean your filters
If you do have an air conditioning system installed, it is imperative that the filters are cleaned (and replaced) regularly to keep the air clean. An added benefit is your air conditioner will consequently run better.
You can either clean the filters yourself, or hire the services of a qualified air conditioning technician. On top of this, a service should be carried out once a year.
Get in touch with us today to organise a servicing schedule for your air conditioning system.
Invest in indoor plants
Having plants in the home is a great way to remove carbon dioxide from the air. They can also help to reduce the presence of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are released from many items such as cigarettes, paint, cleaning products and air fresheners to name a few.
Some plants to consider are:
Aloe vera - as its leaves have a high water content, cool moisture and oxygen are released into the air when they transpire.
Peace lily - a peace lily has big, luscious leaves. This is particularly good as, the bigger the leaf area of a plant, the more oxygen and moisture is released.
Bamboo palm - these plants are amazing humidifiers as they also have large leaves.
These plants are some of the best plants to have in the home as they help keep your home cool. A report published by NASA also rates these plants among some of the best at removing toxins from the home.
Tip: if you are going to keep plants in the home, ensure water is not left sitting in the trays as this can assist in the growth of mould.
Dry areas of water
It may add an extra minute or two to your daily routine, but drying up any water after you finish using an area is going to prevent mould growing in the home and in turn unhealthy air. This includes wiping down the kitchen sink after you have finished washing the dishes. As well as the basin in the bathroom and laundry. Wiping the shower wall down is also going to be an added benefit in your quest for clean home air!
Overhaul your cleaning products
As mentioned earlier, some cleaning products release harmful VOCs which can contribute to respiratory problems as well as headaches and allergies. To ensure you keep the air in your home safe and clean use products that don’t contain VOCs. Also avoid fragrances (including air fresheners) and flammable ingredients in your cleaning products.
In many cases, baking soda and vinegar can be used in place of harsh cleaning products.
A healthy, happy home
The health of our homes should be kept at the top of our minds to ensure the health of our loved ones is safe. Keeping the air quality of your home clean and purified will ensure you combat air pollution and live in a healthy, happy home.
To talk to one of our technicians about how an air conditioning system can help improve your homes air quality, get in touch with us today.
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